The versatile nurse: 13 ways nursing practice varies depending on locality

As nurses, we understand the importance of being versatile. We adapt to diverse environments, working with different types of patients and ...



As nurses, we understand the importance of being versatile. We adapt to diverse environments, working with different types of patients and providing care tailored to our community’s specific needs.

While nursing practice varies drastically depending on the type of locality, many core competencies in nursing remain the same regardless of the environment.

However, each setting requires nurses to draw on their specialized training and knowledge to ensure they provide the highest quality of care. Nurses can adapt their practice to a wide range of settings, from urban cities to rural areas and from specialized to general care.

While all nurses are expected to adhere to a set of professional standards, how they practice can vary significantly. Read on to learn more.

The types of patients a nurse will see

One way nursing practice varies greatly depending on locality is in the types of patients a nurse will see. For example, a nurse working in a hospital setting may care for patients with various conditions, while a nurse working in a private practice may specialize in a particular type of patient.

In addition, nurses in rural areas may see more elderly patients and those with chronic illnesses. These rural regions may be categorized as underserved communities since they often lack access to specialized medical care.

Rural hospitals often need help to stay afloat financially, which may lead to understaffing and a lack of resources to provide adequate medical services. If you choose to practice nursing in underserved communities, Carson-Newman university offers a program that helps prepare students for this type of work.

Through their community-based healthcare curriculum, you will get experience at community health centers, school-based health clinics, and public health departments. Learn more here about nursing in underserved communities to see if Carson-Newman's program suits your preferences.

The amount of time a nurse spends with patients

Another way nursing practice varies according to locality is in the amount of time a nurse spends with their patients. In some areas, nurses are able to spend more time with their patients, allowing them to build better relationships and better understand their health needs.

In other regions, nurses see many patients quickly, leaving them less time to interact with each. Nurses must often make difficult decisions about how much time to spend with each patient.

These decisions can be affected by external factors such as the size of the hospital or clinic and the number of other healthcare providers available. Ultimately, the nurse must balance the need to provide quality care while managing the demands of their shift.

Nurses must recognize each patient's unique needs and ensure they have enough time to provide individualized care. It is also essential to stay within any time limitations the healthcare facility sets to ensure that all patients receive the best possible care.

The types of policies and procedures

The policies and procedures a nurse must follow differ between healthcare facilities, states, and countries. These policies and procedures are determined by the health care system in which they are employed.

For example, some policies dictate how many patients a nurse can treat at one time, and others dictate the number of hours a nurse can work in a week. Some facilities require nurses to attend continuing education courses so they stay up to date with the latest medical advancements.

Other facilities may have different policies, such as requiring nurses to attend staff meetings or limiting the number of vacation days a nurse can take. Nurses must understand their facility’s policies and procedures to provide the highest quality care for their patients.

Knowing the requirements and regulations that govern their profession helps nurses stay within the limits of their scope of practice and ensures patient safety. With this knowledge, a nurse can offer the best treatment possible and support other team members.

The level of patient acuity

The level of patient acuity is an essential factor when considering how nursing practice may vary from location to location. Acuity level dictates a nurse’s duties, which range from acute care, which is short-term care for more serious illnesses, to chronic care, which is long-term care for illnesses or conditions requiring ongoing management.

Depending on the type of medical facility a nurse works in, they may be expected to care for patients with various medical needs. In some cases, nurses may even be asked to provide end-of-life care. In other settings, nurses may be assigned to patients needing long-term care.

This might include managing the care plan of a person living with a chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. The scope of practice may include providing education about lifestyle choices and helping patients make informed decisions about their healthcare.

Additionally, nurses might need to provide preventive healthcare services such as vaccinations, screenings, health promotion programs, and health maintenance such as taking vital signs.

The length of the nursing shifts

The length of a nursing shift can vary greatly depending on the location. In some cases, nurses may work a 12-hour shift, and others might be expected to perform a shorter 8-hour shift.

Shifts can also vary between day and night shifts, with some nurses opting for a more traditional 8-hour day shift, and others preferring a 12-hour shift that spans both day and night.

Many nurses find that working longer shifts allows them to have more control over their schedules and make the most of their time off. Working longer shifts also helps to increase the number of patients a nurse can see during their shift, allowing for a more efficient use of time.

However, it is essential to note that long shifts can be physically and mentally taxing, so nurses should always ensure they take adequate rest and schedule recovery time between shifts. For instance, you may work around your shifts to ensure that all your responsibilities as a nurse are completed.

Some specialties require advanced training or certifications, which may determine what type of shifts you can work. You may need to adapt to various protocols or methods to complete treatments or diagnoses.

The level of interaction a nurse has with patients

In many hospitals and clinics, nurses have direct contact with patients, providing them with information about their health care, administering treatments, and checking vital signs.

In other places, nurses are more removed from patient care and instead perform clerical tasks such as filing paperwork, answering phones, and organizing medical records. The extent to which a nurse is involved in direct patient care depends mainly on individual job descriptions and the local policies of the facility where they work.

Some nurses may be required to constantly monitor their patients; others may only interact with them during specific times of the day. Nurses must adjust their communication style according to the level of interaction.

For instance, some patients prefer direct communication, whereas others may need gentle guidance and reassurance. No matter where a nurse practices, strong communication skills are essential for building rapport and trust with those under their care.

Additionally, nurses must consider cultural differences when communicating with patients. This ranges from learning about religious practices to knowing how to address someone who speaks a different language.

The type of medical equipment nurses use

Nurses use a variety of medical equipment to provide patient care. Depending on their setting, they may utilize high-tech tools such as X-ray machines or ultrasounds.

Nurses may use advanced medical technology to monitor and treat patients in a hospital setting, such as MRI and CAT scanners or ventilators. In contrast, they also work with simple equipment like blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, thermometers, and scales.

They may use more straightforward equipment like blood pressure monitors and nebulizers in a home health setting. More importantly, nurses must be able to operate all the medical equipment they use and understand how to use it safely and effectively.

They must keep up with technological advances and update their skills to be able to use the latest equipment and provide quality patient care. Additionally, they must understand how each piece of equipment works, its benefits and risks, and how to troubleshoot any potential problems that may arise.

The type/level of education and training

For nurses, the level of education and training required is highly dependent on the type of nursing practice they plan to pursue. Generally, nurses are required to have at least an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited program.

An ADN is a two-year program that prepares graduates to become registered nurses (RN). After completing their ADN, some nurses choose to further their education and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

A BSN is a four-year degree program that allows nurses to gain additional knowledge and skills to succeed in their field. Other nurses may choose to pursue a diploma or certificate in nursing.

These programs are typically shorter than traditional degree programs and provide students with the minimum requirements to become licensed nurses. Nurses who plan to practice in specialty areas may be required to complete additional certification courses or obtain certifications from nationally recognized organizations.

Regardless of education or training level, nurses must meet all state requirements to be legally certified and allowed to practice. In addition, nurses must complete continuing education and licensure renewal courses to remain current.

The amount of time a nurse spends in continuing education

Continuing education is a critical component of nursing practice. To stay current about medical advancements and remain compliant with regulations, nurses must commit to a certain amount of continuing education each year.

This requirement varies depending on the locality. For example, in some states, nurses may be required to complete a minimum number of hours of continuing education annually. In contrast, in other states, they may be required to take courses or attend conferences.

A nurse's time in continuing education depends on their scope of practice, specialty, certification, and licensure requirements. Nurses must stay up to date with changes in laws, technologies, and clinical procedures.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) recommends that nurses spend at least 30 contact hours every three years to maintain certification in nursing specialties. Continuing education helps nurses stay sharp and competent in their practice.

It helps them explore new opportunities and challenge themselves to learn more about their field. Continuing education also keeps nurses aware of the most recent developments in healthcare and technological advances, enabling them to provide the best care for their patients.

The types of medications a nurse prescribes

Nurses are licensed to prescribe medications depending on their scope of practice and the regulations in the state or country in which they practice. For example, in some states, nurses can independently prescribe medications for specific patient populations or particular conditions.

In contrast, nurses need a physician's order in other states. Additionally, some states allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to prescribe medications independently while others require that APRNs collaborate with a physician.

Nurses can also be certified to administer intravenous medications such as antibiotics and pain medications and injectable drugs like vaccines. In addition, nurses are trained to counsel patients about proper medication use and potential side effects.

As part of their education, nurses must learn about the most commonly used medications and how they work in the body. They also play an essential role in monitoring and adjusting medication dosages according to patient response.

This is particularly important when managing chronic conditions requiring long-term medications or prescribing medications with narrow therapeutic ranges. By monitoring patients' progress, nurses ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.

Type of facility

The type of facility in which a nurse works greatly impacts their practice.

In hospitals, the focus of nursing is often acute care, and nurses work in various departments such as the intensive care unit, emergency room, or maternity ward. Nurses also work in community health clinics, providing patients with primary care services and disease prevention education.

Long-term care facilities, such as assisted living and nursing homes, provide ongoing care for elderly and disabled patients. Nurses in these settings often help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and moving.

Ambulatory care centers are another type of facility in which nurses work and provide follow-up care for chronic illnesses and vaccinations or other preventive services. There are various facilities where nurses can practice, so they must familiarize themselves with the regulations and protocols.

Support Staff

Support staff play a vital role in nursing, depending on the locality. For instance, in a large teaching hospital, you have access to a more specialized team, such as physical therapists, dieticians, and pharmacists. In smaller settings, you often work alongside medical assistants, who perform primary clinical duties such as taking vital signs and stocking supplies.

The type of support staff can also vary depending on the type of facility.

For example, a nursing home may have a larger team of aides and certified nursing assistants to provide direct patient care. Having the right type and level of support staff is critical for delivering quality care, so it’s essential to understand what kind of support is available in your particular location.

Demographics

Demographics can play a prominent role in determining the type of nursing practice in a particular area. Factors such as the average age, gender, and income level of a population can all affect the type of care required.

For example, a nurse practicing in a rural area with an aging population may be more likely to provide senior care than if they were practicing in an urban area with younger people.

The demographics of a given area also affect the demand for nurses and, thus, the number of nurses working there. Understanding the local demographics can help nurses make better decisions about where to practice and what nursing practice to pursue.

For example, it’s important to understand which specialties are in high demand in different areas before beginning any nursing practice. Knowing the specific needs of a place will help nurses determine which directions are best suited to their career goals.

Final thoughts

Nursing is a highly versatile and rewarding career. Wherever you go, your duties and responsibilities will vary depending on your location, the type of facility, and the scope of practice.

No matter where you choose to work, you will make a real difference in people’s lives. You use your nursing skills and knowledge by utilizing different types of medical equipment, prescribing medications, taking part in continuing education, and offering patient care.

At the end of the day, no matter where you practice nursing, job satisfaction is one of the most significant rewards. The knowledge that you are helping others and making a difference in the world is invaluable.

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